Fans were quick to react to Anthony Joshua’s ‘weird’ post-fight speech after his stunning knockout victory over Francis Ngannou on Friday night.
The British heavyweight star needed just two rounds to end the fight with the former UFC champion after landing a huge right-hook on the night.
After the bout, Joshua produced a post-fight rant that left some supporters bemused as they labelled ‘AJ’ as a ‘proper weird guy’ and reacted to accents he used.
Inside the ring, Joshua said: ‘It is what it is. What I was saying, en route to the championship, you should stay focused. I stepped aside from the mission, I thought it was for the broadcasters for entertainment.
‘But I saw him against Fury and thought ‘damn, he can fight’. We welcomed him, he’s a great champion. It doesn’t take away from his capability. He can come again, I told him he can stay in boxing. It’s up to him.
Fans labelled Anthony Joshua’s post-fight speech as ‘weird’ after his victory on Friday night
Joshua produced a stunning knockout victory against Francis Ngannou within two rounds
The former UFC champion was left stunned after a brutal right-hook from the British star
‘The Ben Davison performance centre [is the reason for my improvement]. I’m hungry, stay hungry and all that good stuff.
‘I don’t know [if I’m coming into my peak], it only takes one shot, if that was me, you’d be saying, ‘Joshua should retire’.
‘I don’t know if I’m in my peak, I’m pushing day by day, who knows where it will take me? In five years I won’t be fighting no more, this will be a distant memory’.
Afterwards, fans were quick to respond on social media, with one writing: ‘I like Anthony Joshua but it’s underrated how properly weird he is lol’
‘There’s just something off about Anthony Joshua. Always comes across awkward and weird. It’s hard not to cringe when he talks,’ another wrote.
‘In Anthony Joshua’s speech “Shout out Cameroon, shout out London, shout out Watford and most importantly… shout out Saudi Arabia” Interesting’, one user said.
Another wrote: ‘Anthony Joshua is proper unbearable. Shouldn’t be allowed near a microphone or any form of public speaking. Weird man’.
‘That’s probably the most destructive knockout i have watched. Unbelievable punching from Joshua. He is weird though isn’t he. What’s his interview and noises about,’ one fan said.
Another fan pointed out the lacklustre atmosphere on the night, as they wrote: ‘Boxing really sold their soul to Saudi. What a soulless atmosphere that is. Shocking’.
Fans on social media were quick to suggest that Joshua produced a ‘weird’ post-fight speech
During his post-fight speech, Joshua also urged Ngannou to not give up his foray into the boxing world, despite the brutal defeat.
‘He can come again. I told him he shouldn’t leave boxing. He can do well. Remember he’s two fights in and he’s fought the best,’ Joshua said.
‘He can go a long way if he stays dedicated but it’s up to him.’
AJ also told a member of Ngannou’s entourage that he would like to support the Cameroonian heavyweight’s foundation in the future.